Here's another question that comes from those we weren't able to get to during the live webcast of The Surge Show that we recently did from DJ's living room. Philip Schwenck asked about what kind of ball he should be playing as his swing speed slows down.
"Surge, what compression ball should be used for what swing speed? When I look at boxes of balls, they either say soft, or something else. How do you know which ball is right for you or me? All I can figure out is to buy a sleeve of different ones, then go out to a park and hit them to see which one goes further. I say a park, that way you can get them back, and not use the ones that are not the best for my swing and game. I am 74 and don't have a fast swing speed any more."
Great question, Philip, since most manufacturers make it more difficult to get precise compression data these days. When you read the packaging for the various balls on the market you are more likely to hear about spin rate and launch angle. It used to be that if a ball had black letters and black numbers it was a 100 compression ball and if it was a black/red combination it was rated at 90 compression. For those of you that aren't familiar with compression ratings, the lower the number the easier it is to compress the ball when you strike it. Compression, or "restitution", is one of the important factors one uses to determine which ball is best for one's game because the more you can compress a ball, the more energy is transferred from the club to the ball. However, as you will see below, there are diminishing returns for players with fast club head speeds so you really do need to match your ball to your particular swing characteristics.
I use a lower compression ball called the Precept Laddie X because it's durable and I like the distance and control it gives me. And the fact that they are moderately priced at around $20 a dozen is another plus. The Laddie started out its product life as The Lassie but Precept changed the name when many senior professionals started playing the ball. Here's what the Precept product engineers write about what happens at the moment of impact.
"At the moment of impact, a large one ton of force is applied to the ball, resulting in its being flattened and deformed. The energy from this deformation is stored within the ball. As deformation reaches its peak, the ball itself will seek to restore its original shape. This power of restitution is what causes the ball to fly off the club face.
If a golfer uses a ball that is too hard for his or her head speed, the ball will not deform adequately and will fail to store a sufficient amount of energy from impact. Conversely, if the golfer uses a ball that is too soft for his or her head speed, he or she will expend a lot of energy deforming the ball, and will not achieve sufficient distance. For example, if an average golfer hits a ball that has been designed for professionals or advanced players, the result is likely to be, not greater distance, but instead a loss of carry because the player will not be able to deform the ball adequately. The key to selecting balls is to find one which provides maximum restitution for one's particular head speed." The Science of Golf Balls, [Click here for the full article--it's very informative!]
If you have a hard time believing that a golf ball changes shape when compressed, check out this USGA video of a ball striking a steel plate at high speed to see what restitution really looks like.
So, Philip, your idea of buying a sleeve of balls and experimenting with what feels best for your swing is right on the money. If you check out the full article I cited above you will find some charts that will help you figure out what types of ball you should consider. With your swing speed, for example, you will want to stay away from a wound ball and play with a ball that has a solid two-piece or multi-piece core.
One last thing, temperature can make a big difference in which compression rate to choose. In colder weather, say, under 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 C), you may want to go to a lower compression ball as the higher rated balls will become stiff as the temperature drops. I play year-round here in the upstate region of South Carolina where winter temps can get quite chilly. That's when I switch to a Wilson Staff 50, which, as the name suggests, is a 50 compression ball. This would be way too soft for me on warmer days, but I find it perfect when it gets a bit frosty outside.
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
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